Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  My Monte - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By RedM0nte - May 4 - 11:13 am

  I purchased my Monte Carlo LS earlier this year. So far nothing has happened with the car, Ive had only small problems. For one, the car has some rattles on the inside of the car, and the interior wasnt put together all that well. Im a mechanical engineer for interiors of cars and the craftsmanship on the inside wasnt that great. But, the Monte is a very stylish car and runs and performs great for the LS model.

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  2004 Malibu Maxx LT Model - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Henri - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Overall the quality of the workmanship was very good interior & exterior. The 3.5 engine was a little slow on the pick up in lst gear range, but the second range was very satisfactory & smooth. Engine is very compact & every unit (battery--air filter--water reservoir ETC) was easy accessable & not crammed at all. One nice feature is the electric steering. Mileage overall combination Hwy & city average was 23.5. I imagine a long mileage highway trip will produce more.

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  I LOVE MY MALIBU.... - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By TaniaJo - May 4 - 10:00 am

  My first brand new car, and I am loving every minute of driving time! I did have some problems, but the dealership took care of me and my Malibu. My parents just purchased a LS Malibu!

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  new suv - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By csam - May 4 - 10:00 am

  This truck is great. We were looking at the Ford Escape and Jeep Liberty - the Equinox blew them all away

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  love my new equinox! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By pawings - May 4 - 10:00 am

  i love my equinox...lots of options for reasonable money...get the xm radio!!! i have the lt-1se package...loaded with xm and the trailering equip...$29000 compared to a trailblazer that run around $35000 with not many options...definantly better then the jeep liberty and the ford explorer...way to go chevy for putting out something to compete and win in my book!

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  My Z71 review - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Candace Smith - May 4 - 12:59 am

  I purchased this vehicle in October of 2004 and have been highly pleased with EVERYTHING! The first thing that attracted me to the Z71 was its exterior image...sharp! The looks between the plain Tahoe and the Z71 are significant. I have never felt so safe and secure with my SUV, compared to many SUVs. The lumbar seats are comforting and roomy...not to mention the 3rd row seats!! I got mine equipped with OnStar and XM which add to security and luxury. They come with 17 inch wheels that totally suit the look of the Z! Pure comfort, reliability, and pure style come along my very first Tahoe. Thanks!

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  My red Impala - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By jessescar - May 3 - 1:16 pm

  This car is by far the BEST I have ever owned (Stratus,Intrepid,Corolla,Mustang)! I had waited 2 yrs to purchase an Impala and let me tell you, it was worth the wait! The drive is incredible! So smooth and quiet and the acceleration and cornering is impressive! Gas mileage is great for a larger car (22/32). The interior is full of room and trunk size is amazing. My kids and hubby (big guy!) fit perfectly and comfortably. The stereo has lots of different features (auto volume,radio data system,)and sounds fantastic! This car turns heads constantly (especially when its clean and BRIGHT red!).

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  This ones a keeper - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By scooter758 - May 3 - 1:13 pm

  One of the most comftorable trucks I have driven in years. The 5.3L has more than enough power for both work and play, and even with the off road suspension package provides a comfortable enough ride for even long road trips.

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  05 Equinox feedback - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Cary Watkins - May 3 - 1:43 am

  I was in need of replacing a 99 Expedition that was a PIG on fuel, and rode like a hay wagon. I wanted something smaller, comfortable, a GM product, and more economical. I selected the Equinox, after looking at the Saturn and found it to be well. BLAH. I looked at Buick and found them to be well to dressed up, and so as I am partial to Chevrolet and not too crazy about the big price on the Trailblazer, the Equinox fit my needs.

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  Good car, especially for the money - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Ray - May 3 - 1:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for 7 years and am sad to finally depart from it. This car has travelled the southeastern US with almost no problems other than a window motor! Excellent car for the money!!! After 113,000 miles the only problem was the window motor and the paint. The engine is a true workhorse!